Roger Federer has announced that he will return to the court in a celebrity doubles match at this year’s Shanghai Masters. Federer retired after the Laver Cup in 2022 as one of the most popular tennis stars of all time, as well as one of the most successful, having racked up 20 Grand Slam titles over the course of his career.
At the age of 44, he will soon have the chance to prove to fans that he has still got it. Narrating a montage of his best moments in Shanghai, Federer informed supporters via a video posted on X that he will be in action for the Roger Federer and Friends Celebrity Doubles Match on October 10.
He said: “Hello, this is Roger, and I am really happy to be returning to Qizhong Stadium in Shanghai for the Rolex Shanghai Masters. Shanghai has always been a special place for me with great fans, unforgettable memories, and a real love for the game.”
Federer should feel comfortable in the Chinese city given the success he has enjoyed there in years gone by. Since the ATP began staging a Masters 1000 event there in 2009, only Novak Djokovic (four) and Andy Murray (three) can better his haul of two titles.
He could have added a third in 2010, when he lost to Murray in the final. But the triumphs of 2014 and 2017 will bring back fond memories for Federer.
Injury plagued the latter years of his career but Federer was able to sign off on his terms nearly three years ago, when he said farewell at the tournament he co-founded, the Laver Cup.
Federer has since taken a step back from the public eye since, but he popped back up at Wimbledon this summer to take his place in the Royal Box, and at the French Open alongside Murray and Djokovic earlier in the year to celebrate Rafael Nadal’s achievements at Roland-Garros.
Federer said: “Farewells are important when you have his level, and he’s a giant of the game. If we can add a little something by being here with Novak and Andy, and we tie the knot all together, I think it’s a nice thing.
“I know it meant the world to me, that I had all my guys and my players around me when I retired. I think it’s also good for closure, and shows respect as well from me personally towards Rafa, his family and his team.”